'Lifetime plans should be offered till telecom permit allows'

Lifetime mobile tariff plans offered by telecom operators are valid as long as the operator is permitted to provide such service under the licence, Minister of State for Communications and IT Milind Deora said Wednesday.

"Any tariff plan presented, marketed or offered as valid for any prescribed period exceeding six months or as having lifeline or unlimited validity in lieu of an upfront payment shall continue to be available to the subscriber for the duration of the period as prescribed in the plan and in case of lifetime or unlimited plans, as long as the service provider is permitted to provide such telecom service under the current licence or renewed licence," Deora said in a written reply to the Lok Sabha.

"The service providers are also prohibited from changing tariffs to the disadvantage of the consumers during the validity period promised in the plan," he added.

Deora was referring to the guidelines issued by the Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (TRAI) to protect the interest of lifetime plan consumers.